Lisi Village

　　Fan Li, a native of Wan (present-day Nanyang, Henan) in the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, once assisted King Goujian of Yue in defeating the State of Wu. After the victory, he chose to retire and settled on Chishan Island with the beauty Xi Shi. The tombs of Fan Li and Xi Shi are still preserved today. Geographic sites related to them include Ligong Lake, Xianglu Mountain, Lisi Village, and Lishan Temple. These places are all picturesque landscapes and historical relics, much admired by people.

　　Lisi Village. “An island within a lake, and a lake within an island” is a magical feature of Lisi Village. Ligong Lake, Zhougong Lake, and Wucha Lake are inland lakes on Chishan Island, where Fan Li and Xi Shi used to spend their leisure time. Among the three lakes, the most beautiful is Ligong Lake, embraced by green mountains and shimmering with clear waves. In the high-water season, the sparkling water reflects the verdant mountains and rural cottages, making them appear even more vibrant.

　　Longhu Mountain consists of two peaks connected together, with rolling ridges that truly resemble a coiled dragon and crouching tiger. The mountain is covered with ancient, dense trees that block out the sun and shelter from wind and rain. On both sides of the “dragon’s head” are two Dragon Eye Wells, which have provided crystal-clear, sweet, and fragrant water for thousands of years. It is said that drinking the water from the Dragon Wells can ward off disasters, cure illnesses, enhance beauty, and prolong life. At the “heart” of the dragon lies Yunfeng Temple, the site of the former Fan Li Temple. The solemn yet gentle sound of the temple bells tells visitors a beautiful legend. During the Spring and Autumn period, Fan Li, a minister of the State of Yue, helped King Goujian defeat King Fuchai of Wu. After achieving success, he retired and sailed the Five Lakes with Xi Shi. He was captivated by the scenery of Chishan and chose to live here in seclusion, leaving behind many beautiful and moving stories. After the deaths of Fan Li and Xi Shi, people built the Fan Li Temple and Xi Shi’s Tomb in their memory, and named Chishan “Lishan” (Lover’s Mountain).

　　Almost every tree and blade of grass in Lisi Village is a precious part of its natural vegetation, but three particularly remarkable camphor trees are truly breathtaking. A 200-year-old divine camphor tree grows beside Yunfeng Temple on Longhu Mountain, standing tall as if reaching the heavens, exuding a noble aura and fragrant throughout all seasons. It is said that since this sacred camphor tree matured, the area has enjoyed abundant harvests and thriving livestock. A nine-branched camphor tree, over 1,000 years old, remains lush and vigorous. Its trunk, which requires six children holding hands to encircle, is actually its slender waist. Nine branches stretch straight toward the sky like a group of beauties tossing their dancing sleeves into the blue sky. The fluttering sleeves form a giant natural canopy, offering warmth all year round. A camphor-embracing-wax tree is a marvel of botanical growth. With a history of over 2,100 years, its fossil-like roots spiral out from Chishan, and its tall trunk stands firmly upright, with a wax tree growing from its chest, as if the sturdy camphor brother is tightly embracing the noble wax sister. When the wax tree blooms, its clusters of flowers passionately display their beauty and fragrance. The evergreen life and eternal love of the camphor-embracing-wax tree, just like itself, remain lush and vibrant, growing greener with age—making the legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai turning into butterflies seem somewhat less remarkable.

　　On July 1, 2001, under the sacred camphor-embracing-wax tree, the first Stone Age tool used by the ancestors of Dongting Lake—the flake hand axe—was discovered, pushing the history of human habitation around Dongting Lake from 7,000 years ago back to 100,000 years ago. This epoch-making discovery adds an even more mysterious aura to the ancient camphor-embracing-wax tree. As the couplet at the entrance of this scenic spot reads: “A 2,000-year-old camphor tree welcomes guests; 100,000-year-old ancestors offer treasures.” It takes visitors into a fairy-tale-like world.

　　“The world’s tallest woman,” Zeng Jinlian, was a villager of Lisi Village.

　　Lisi Village features spectacular fishing opening ceremonies, distinctive local cuisine and lifestyle, diverse childbirth customs, festive New Year traditions (such as “Opening the Wealth Gate,” “March 3rd,” “Dragon Boat Festival,” “Ghost Festival,” etc.), and folk art rich in local flavor...

　　Recommended tour route: City area → Longhu Mountain Lishan Temple → Golden Rooster Ridge Viewpoint → Liu Family Ancestral Hall → Qinglong Mountain → Ancient Camphor-Embracing-Wax Tree and Stone Tool Discovery Site → Giantess Memorial Hall → Anzi Ridge (Da’an Temple) → Provincial No. 1 Prison → Return to city area